While the Lexus IS left Australian shores in 2021, the rest of the world was treated to a V8-powered flagship edition; now, Japan gets the most loaded version yet.
Lexus has announced what may prove to be the company’s last V8 sedan, a 500-unit special edition of the IS500 for Japan, known as the Climax Edition.
In what we can only imagine is an unfortunate translation fail, the IS500 Climax (think ‘pinnacle’ or ‘ultimate’, not what you may actually be thinking) comes with a subtle array of performance enhancements.
As was the case with special editions of the Lexus RC F before it, the IS500 goes without changes to its 352kW naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8.
Instead, the Climax Edition comes with an upgraded brake package comprising six-piston Brembo calipers, painted red, which clamp down on 380mm ‘pillar fin’ rotors.
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The pillar fin design is a high-performance brake rotor developed by Brembo, with rotor vanes that are divided into smaller sections to promote improved cooling airflow within the rotor for high-performance use.
The Climax Edition brake package replaces the regular IS500’s 356mm rotors and four-piston calipers.
The IS500 Climax Edition is also equipped with a set of 19-inch forged aluminium BBS wheels with a matte black finish.
Lexus says the new wheels “pursue light weight and high rigidity” but doesn’t quote a weight saving figure.
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Other changes to the IS500 Climax are largely cosmetic.
The exterior is finished in a unique Neutrino grey paint, with a metallic finish added to what looks like a solid light grey paint. Lexus claims the colour “expresses a worldview of sporty, speedy driving.”
The special edition model features a red and black interior trimmed in L-tex faux-leather and Ultrasuede.
The steering wheel and gear knob are also trimmed in dimpled genuine leather, colour-coded to match.
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A special ‘Climax Edition’ startup screen displays on the 8.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, and the analogue clock gets a multi-layer painted face with a laser-etched pattern revealing its red detail.
Climax Edition badging has been added to the door scuff plates, and to the centre console, with an ‘IS500 Climax Edition’ plaque, albeit without individual numbering.
Other minor trim changes include red seatbelts, and Ultrasuede used on the door armrests, instrument hood cover, and parts of the console.
The IS500 goes on sale in Japan in August 2025, priced from ¥JP9,500,000 ($AU100,750), ¥JP1,000,000 ($AU10,600) more than the regular IS500 F Performance.
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